Lent V | To fast from Planning & Deadlines
“Why spend money for what isn’t food, and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy.
Listen carefully to me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest of feasts.
Listen and come to me; listen, and you will live.
”
AN INVITATION TO FAST FROM DEADLINES AND PLANNING…
I love a to-do list, a plan. But when my noisy mind is chattering with details, deadlines, and agendas, I easily miss the voice of God actually speaking into my life – calling me into things better than those my planning mind intends.
We who are always moving into our imagined futures lose the opportunity to notice new visions from Jesus; we fail to receive guidance toward new directions we haven’t expected. Looking ahead, we don’t look down to see the fresh, green life unfurling at our feet – quite literally, on this early spring days.
… AND EMBRACE UNFOLDING AND RIPENING
“I am the true vine,” Jesus says. “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.” Jesus reminds us of our organic nature. Branches don’t design their own futures; they grow, unfold and bear fruit by abiding. We too are rooted in the One greater than ourselves --- and in this rooting we receive nourishment to ripen in the world. For Jesus reminds us, “Those who abide in me and in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)
This fifth week of Lent, you are invited to fast from your desire to control the direction of your life. Open yourself to the grace of silence, in which beauty comes alive and you see, with open eyes, things already emerging.
You might respond to this invitation by stepping outside. Take time for a slow, contemplative walk –without any destination or time constraint. As you walk, stay alert for the shimmering moments around you; allow yourself to pause. Pay special attention to how the world is budding, unfurling, emerging around you. In silence, listen for God’s voice speaking love and blessing over you. Abide in Him.
This reflection is adapted from A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding our True Hungers in Lent, Christine Valters Paintner.